Recipes

Do y’all remember “it’s Friday, Friday, gonna get down on Friday” that horrrrrrible song that came out a few years ago and was stuck in your head constantly (and now it is probably stuck in your head again, so sorry). WELL not as many know but my husband informed me that the same producer who produced the Friday song produced another one and the lyrics include “oh oh oh it’s thanksgiving! We we we we gonna have a good time.” If you haven’t heard that little gem you should check out “It’s Thanksgiving” by Nicole Westbrook- or don’t because it will be stuck in your head FOR DAYS, not trying to be mean, it’s just “too catchy” if ya know what I mean… Anyway, this song was brought to my attention again a few days ago and it has been really getting me in the thanksgiving spirit (jokes) and annoying me all in one.

One of the first things I think about when I think of Thanksgiving is apple pie. There are probably thousands upon thousands of apple pie recipes out there but how many apple pie granola recipes are out there?? Hmm? I don’t know, I actually did not check but I’m gonna guess not many. Well, today I have for you, Apple Pie Granola- healthful, modestly sweet, a great snack or a great way to start your day in a bowl with almond milk or on top of yogurt. I hope you enjoy! It isn’t your grandma’s apple pie recipe, that’s for sure- but it also doesn’t include 8 lbs of butter and sugar and instead has nutrient dense superfoods like chia seeds and flax meal.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dump the mixture on, spread evenly

Bake 20 minutes total but take out after 10 minutes to stir (this helps prevent burning) and then add back into the oven for 10 minutes. You want your granola to look golden brown but not burnt brown. I’ve learned many ovens are different so you get to be the judge!

Let cool for 15 minutes

Enjoy plain, put on top of yogurt, or throw in a bowl with some almond milk!

It’s daylight savings time, that funky day of the year that messes up schedules and throws everyone off. Days like this call for easy dinners and I’ve got just the thing for you. Think flavorful out the wazoo, healthy, crunchy, satisfying and QUICK- and you’ve got Mediterranean Tostadas!

A tostada is basically a toasted or cooked (whether baked or fried) tortilla. I buy mine premade and I am sure you can find them in your local grocery store in the tortilla section. I like to load these tostadas up with hummus and veggies and to really up the flavor game I add tzatziki sauce and feta- two Mediterranean all stars.

This recipe involves some chopping, a little bit of roasting, mixing, and piling a mountain of tastiness onto a crunchy tostada. It shouldn’t take you long and if you are really in a hurry buy some premade hummus and tzatziki sauce at the store (typically you can find this in the deli area) and a jar of roasted red bell peppers and this will be on your plate and in your belly in no time.

This recipe is vegetarian and could easily be vegan if you omit the tzatziki and feta.

2. If you are making your hummus and tzatziki, go ahead and do that now.

3. While the red bell peppers are roasting chop up all of your veggies into small pieces.

4. Once the bell peppers are done roasting, chop then drizzle with a little olive oil, and add a dash of salt and pepper.

5. Time to assemble your tostadas! Take a tostada and smear a hearty scoop of hummus on it, add any and all chopped veggies, drizzle on the tzatziki sauce, add feta cheese, and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.

Looking for an easy, healthy, delicious, colorful, and feel good recipe? Look no further! I have one right here for you! Turmeric is kinda all the rage right now in the health world and no wonder- it is an amazing anti-inflammatory, it helps with gastrointestinal issues, it makes your skin look lovely, and the list goes on and on. So not only are these veggies coated with the fabulous benefits of turmeric- they have all the amazing benefits of being veggies themselves and we all know how amazing veggies are for our bodies! Pair this dish with my 5 minute hummus, and a grain- I prefer couscous (because it cooks so quickly) but you could use brown rice or quinoa, and throw it all in a bowl for a yummy and happy meal!

This is one of my go to recipes because you really don’t have to think too much with it. If you want to take some creative liberty pick out whatever veggies you like, flavor it however you want, and pick your grain. There are so many options and you could have this meal often and not get tired of it as you change it up.

Instructions
Preheat oven to 425.
Chop up all veggies into bite size pieces.
Add chopped veggies into a bowl and add olive oil to coat, next add turmeric, garlic powder, and a dash of salt and pepper and stir until everything looks evenly mixed.
Arrange onto a foil lined sheet pan and pop in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until sweet potatoes and carrots are easily penetrated with a fork.
While your veggies are cooking make up your hummus and your couscous.
Once the veggies are out of the oven add a base layer of couscous to your bowl, top with veggies, and a scoop of hummus.

IT’S FALL! Who doesn’t love fall? Pretty sure if there was someone who claimed to not like fall, they’ve gotta be kidding themselves. With fall comes….PUMPKINS! I think we all wonder “how can I incorporate pumpkin into every aspect of my life for the next couple of months?” Well I have a great way to incorporate pumpkin into a healthy dinner! Fun fact- I’m pretty sure this is my baby’s favorite meal..She’ll eat anything we give her but this one, she really scarfs down. She is turning ONE YEAR OLD (brb sobbing) this week and I am making it for her birthday dinner and we are gonna eat it out on the porch and soak in all the falling leaves and joy that comes with fall and turning one even if it is 90 degrees outside because Texas.

This Pumpkin and Lentil Curry is full of flavor, oh so comforting, and basically fall in a bowl. I hope you have fun in the kitchen and enjoy this delicious recipe!

InstructionsPumpkin– Do this first so that your pumpkin can be ready to go when you are
Heat oven to 400
Cut your pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy things
Cut pumpkin into 1 inch slivers
Arrange on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive or coconut oil and a dash of salt and pepper
Bake for 30 minutes or until it is easily penetrable with a fork
Once cooled enough to touch, cut off hard skin and cut into small cubes

Next
Add oil to a pot and heat
Add onion, garlic, and carrots and let cook for 5 minutes
Add all of the spices including ginger and cook for 5-10 minutes
Add in tomatoes,lentils, and cooked pumpkin and let cook for 3-5 minutes
Add in vegetable broth and bring everything to a boil and then turn heat down to medium low and let everything simmer for 10 minutes
If you want a slightly less chunky curry- turn off your heat and add 2 cups of it into a blender and blend then add back to the pot
Lastly, if you desire a creamier curry add in ½- 1 cup almond milk or coconut milk
You can serve this with rice or eat it alone.
If you want to go all out you should totally make this amazing and simple naan for all the dipping your heart can handle.